Suggested GPH rating for my CLS?

skeety · 03-17-2005, 05:27 PM

I just saw someone else post something similar to this. How wierd.

anyways...I was looking for some input here.

I have a 72 gln bowfront, with a built in overflow. I have a Pondmaster 500 pumping the water back up into the tank. It pumps 500 GPH.

I'm going to add a CSL over the weekend, and I'm looking for input on what kind of pump I should get for it (and also, how thick of PVC I should use).

What's the recommended total GPH of flow I should have for a 72 gln tank?

wharyat · 03-17-2005, 06:19 PM

Whatever you want, I would do at least 1200 maybe less if you dont have any sps.

Tim224DT · 03-17-2005, 06:24 PM

Ok i have a dumb question. What is the purpose of a CLS??

Geoff · 03-17-2005, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim224DT

Ok i have a dumb question. What is the purpose of a CLS??

to add water movement as efficiently as possible.

G~

LISound · 03-17-2005, 08:20 PM

tagging along.
doing the same thing...this weekend.
did you think about a spraybar?

skeety · 03-17-2005, 08:46 PM

So to elaborate on the point of a CLS, and make sure I get this:

The Skimmer gets debris (amongst other stuff) out of the water.
If that debris is settled on your gravel/sand/rock/etc, then the Skimmer never gets a chance to pull it out of your water.

A CLS is a way to add movement in your water, thus lessening the amount of debris that settles, and gives the skimmer more of a chance to get that debris out of your water.

Powerheads also accomplish this...but the advantage of a CLS is mainly appearance. It's cleaner, and more out of the way, and just all around looks nicer. There may be other advantages (if so, please share)

Also, LIsound...can you tell me more about a Spraybar? It sounds splashy. hehehe Elaborate/enlighten me!

LISound · 03-17-2005, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skeety

So to elaborate on the point of a CLS, and make sure I get this:

The Skimmer gets debris (amongst other stuff) out of the water.
If that debris is settled on your gravel/sand/rock/etc, then the Skimmer never gets a chance to pull it out of your water.

A CLS is a way to add movement in your water, thus lessening the amount of debris that settles, and gives the skimmer more of a chance to get that debris out of your water.

Powerheads also accomplish this...but the advantage of a CLS is mainly appearance. It's cleaner, and more out of the way, and just all around looks nicer. There may be other advantages (if so, please share)

Also, LIsound...can you tell me more about a Spraybar? It sounds splashy. hehehe Elaborate/enlighten me!

that's it.
CLS is a great way to get flow and not velocity, power heads produce velocity.
you don't want that.

the idea with the spraybar is to get more flow behind the rock and back of the tank shooting whatever ditrus that settles out to the front of the tank where it can be siphoned out.

spraybars produce velocity but against the rock work...that's a good thing.
I'm also thinking of adding 1 return in the opposite corner of the drop for the spraybar.

check the DIY forum

Cosine · 03-17-2005, 09:25 PM

what corals are you keeping?
I'm gonna put a CLS on my softie tank.
My current plan is for 4 outlets two bottom, two top.
I might go with spray bar on the bottom but dunno
I'm gonna have lots of flow but gonna keep the velocity low up high (2'' outputs) and fast on bottom (1'' outlets)
Hopefully this way I'll have enough to keep detrius suspended and have the slow moving flow softies like.
However if you are going with sps let the water fly
that's the way I see it

motorslave · 03-18-2005, 04:25 AM

The amount of flow is some what determined by the corals you want. If its an SPS system them load it up and let er rip! SPS like alot of movement as it is simular to the part of the reef they would live in in the wild, where all the wave action is. Softies and LPS like less flow as they live farther back in the reef. Its all about making a habitat that covers the basics and at the same time makes up for the short comings of being in a tank (lots o poop on the bottom!) Not only can a CLS improve apearance but it is also more efficient as Geoff said.

Robert

wanareef · 03-18-2005, 04:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cosine

what corals are you keeping?
I'm gonna put a CLS on my softie tank.
My current plan is for 4 outlets two bottom, two top.
I might go with spray bar on the bottom but dunno
I'm gonna have lots of flow but gonna keep the velocity low up high (2'' outputs) and fast on bottom (1'' outlets)
Hopefully this way I'll have enough to keep detrius suspended and have the slow moving flow softies like.
However if you are going with sps let the water fly
that's the way I see it

I would rethink using 2" for outlet. Water tends to take the least resistance and all your flow will come out of the 2". Also if you go with 2" you will need a HUGE pump to just have some flow. HUGE like a Sequence 1000 series power pump in the 5600 range.

Most guys use 3/4" to 1" BH's for the return to the tank and 1.5" BH's for the input of the pump. You can use lokline to direct your flow, 3/4" is the biggest that I have seen for any lokline fittings.

skeety · 03-18-2005, 05:35 AM

okay...so we got a little sidetracked here, so let me see if I got this right.

Recommending 1200+ gph total flow for a 72 gln tank? So if I aleady have 500 on the overflow/sump, then I should be looking at at least another 700+ gph for the CLS?

Also, Wanareef's suggesting 3/4" returns, with a 1 1/2 " bulkhead input.

Well, can't (or just don't want to) drill the tank, so we're looking at an overhang input (slightly lower than the overflow line. My question on this is...does it really matter the size of the input? The input nozzle on the pump is only so big...no matter how big the PVC going to that, it can still only pull in so much, right? If I'm wrong (which I'm guessing I am), do I still want a 1 1/2" input for an overhang?

skeety · 03-18-2005, 07:40 AM

Also, what is this bulbous looking black thing in the middle of this CLS?

(I'm not sure who's CLS this is, so sorry if I don't give credit)

Do I need it? Why not just a T?

tims · 03-18-2005, 09:11 AM

i am not 100% sure but i belive that is a converter of sorts. meaning it lets the water go from one side then to the other..
your other question.. 1200gph. already have 500 so only 700 more....
nope dont bringthe sump in to play. think of the CLS as seperate system.

skeety · 03-18-2005, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tims

i am not 100% sure but i belive that is a converter of sorts. meaning it lets the water go from one side then to the other..
your other question.. 1200gph. already have 500 so only 700 more....
nope dont bringthe sump in to play. think of the CLS as seperate system.

so I need A pump that handles 1200 gph?

got it. (any brand suggestions?)

drsyme · 03-18-2005, 10:57 AM

It looks like a SCWD.

http://www.marinedepot.com/aquarium_...d.asp?ast=&key=